Polymer composites and methods for making and using same
Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into nanoparticles or other types of macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality. Use of the disclosed composites as photoradiation shields and filters, electromagnetic radiation shields and filters, antistatic layers, heterogeneous catalysts, conducting electrodes, materials having flame and heat retardant properties, components in the construction of electrolytic cells, fuel cells, and optoelectronic devices, and antifouling coatings is also described.
1. A composite comprising:
a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein; and
an inorganic material disposed in the natural free volume of said polymer matrix, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially amorphous, wherein said polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix, wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network, and wherein said inorganic macromolecular network comprises molecules containing three or more metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
2. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network comprises molecules containing more than about 20 metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
3. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network comprises molecules containing more than about 100 metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
4. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network has the formula [X(O) n —O y —X(O) n ] m , wherein m is an integer from about 1 to about 10,000; X represents a metal ion having a charge of +s; s is an integer from 1 to the metal's highest attainable oxidation state; y is an integer from 0 to s; and n is between zero and s/2.
5. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network has the formula [X(O) n —O y —X(O) n ] m , wherein m is an integer from about 10,000 to about 10 6 ; X represents a metal ion having a charge of +s; s is an integer from 1 to the metal's highest attainable oxidation state; y is an integer from 0 to s; and n is between zero and s/2.
6. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network has the formula (-M o -M o -) n , wherein n is from about ½ to about 10,000 and M o is a Group IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, or VIIIa metal.
7. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic macromolecular network has the formula (-M o -M o -) n , wherein n is from about from about 10,000 to about 10 6 and M o is a Group IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, or VIIIa metal.
8. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises a halopolymer, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyester, a polymethacrylate, a polyacrylate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyalkylene, or a combinations thereof.
9. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix is a polyacetate, a polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
10. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix is a halopolymer.
11. A composite according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix is a fluoropolymer.
12. A composite comprising:
a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein; and
an inorganic material disposed in the natural free volume of said polymer matrix, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially amorphous, wherein said polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix, wherein said inorganic material comprises molecules containing three or more metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
13. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material comprises molecules containing more than about 20 metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
14. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material comprises molecules containing more than about 100 metal atoms that are directly or indirectly bonded together.
15. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material has the formula [X(O) n —O y —X(O) n ] m , wherein m is an integer from about 1 to about 10,000; X represents a metal ion having a charge of +s; s is an integer from 1 to the metal's highest attainable oxidation state; y is an integer from 0 to s; and n is between zero and s/2.
16. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material has the formula [X(O) n —O y —X(O) n ] m , wherein m is an integer from about 10,000 to about 10 6 ; X represents a metal ion having a charge of +s; s is an integer from 1 to the metal's highest attainable oxidation state; y is an integer from 0 to s; and n is between zero and s/2.
17. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material has the formula (-M o -M o -) n , wherein n is from about ½ to about 10,000 and M o is a Group IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, or VIIIa metal.
18. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said inorganic material has the formula (-M o -M o -) n , wherein n is from about 10,000 to about 10 6 and M o is a Group IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, or VIIIa metal.
19. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises a halopolymer, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyester, a polymethacrylate, a polyacrylate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyalkylene, or a combinations thereof.
20. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said polymer matrix is a polyacetate, a polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
21. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said polymer matrix is a halopolymer.
22. A composite according to claim 12 , wherein said polymer matrix is a fluoropolymer.
23. A composite comprising:
a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein; and
an inorganic material disposed in the natural free volume of said polymer matrix, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially amorphous, wherein said polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix, and wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle.
24. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle having a volume of from about 0.5 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
25. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle having a volume of from about 70 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
26. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle having a volume of from about 150 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
27. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle having a volume of from about 250 nm 3 to about 5×10 7 nm 3 .
28. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 75 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
29. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 10 3 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
30. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 10 4 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
31. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 5×10 4 atoms to about 10 9 atoms.
32. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 10 5 atoms to about 10 9 atoms.
33. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said inorganic material is an inorganic macromolecular network in the form of a nanoparticle comprising from about 7×10 5 atoms to about 10 8 atoms.
34. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises a halopolymer, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyester, a polymethacrylate, a polyacrylate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyalkylene, or a combinations thereof.
35. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said polymer matrix is a polyacetate, a polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
36. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said polymer matrix is a halopolymer.
37. A composite according to claim 23 , wherein said polymer matrix is a fluoropolymer.
38. A composite comprising:
a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein; and
an inorganic material disposed in the natural free volume of said polymer matrix, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially amorphous, wherein said polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix, and wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles.
39. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles having volumes of from about 0.5 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
40. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles having volumes of from about 70 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
41. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles having volumes of from about 150 nm 3 to about 5×10 8 nm 3 .
42. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles having volumes of from about 250 nm 3 to about 5×10 7 nm 3 .
43. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 75 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
44. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 10 3 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
45. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 10 4 atoms to about 10 10 atoms.
46. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 5×10 4 atoms to about 10 9 atoms.
47. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 10 5 atoms to about 10 9 atoms.
48. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said inorganic material comprises inorganic nanoparticles comprising from about 7×10 5 atoms to about 10 8 atoms.
49. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises a halopolymer, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyester, a polymethacrylate, a polyacrylate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyalkylene, or a combinations thereof.
50. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said polymer matrix is a polyacetate, a polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
51. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said polymer matrix is a halopolymer.
52. A composite according to claim 38 , wherein said polymer matrix is a fluoropolymer.